This Sunday (July 23), SmackDown Live will be hosting Battleground, its last brand-specific Pay-Per-View until after SummerSlam. With WWE aiming for SummerSlam to be the second WrestleMania this year in terms of size and spectacle (excluding the big football stadium), Battleground will set the stage for the second biggest show of the year. Compared to Raw’s Great Balls of Fire event just a couple weeks ago, Battleground’s card seems lackluster. However, there are some promising matches that should keep fans interested. Let’s take a look at what to expect, and who we predict the winners will be.
Tye Dillinger vs. Aiden English
Remember last year when Dolph Ziggler would face Baron Corbin on every Kickoff show just because there was nothing else to put there? This is the case now with Aiden English and Tye Dillinger. English has revitalized his Drama King gimmick since Simon Gotch, the other half of the Vaudevillains, requested his release. Dillinger was the biggest male NXT call-up outside of Shinsuke Nakamura, but the Perfect 10 has barely found air time even though he works in the Land of Opportunity.
Prediction:
This match will probably mean nothing other than to give the crowd some energy, which is a shame for both men involved. Winner: Tye Dillinger
Sami Zayn vs. Mike Kanellis (w/Maria Kanellis)
When WWE actually cares about developing characters and rivalries over several weeks, it makes for entertaining television. Mike and Maria Kanellis debuted at Money in the Bank by professing their love for each other. They would continue to do this for weeks when Sami Zayn would accidentally interrupt on the way to his matches. Zayn and Mike Kanellis competed last week, but thanks to Maria getting involved, her husband stole the victory in his WWE debut.
Prediction:
As great as Sami Zayn is, he doesn’t need to win all the time. He is a great underdog who puts on incredible performances that make his opponents look amazing. Kanellis (formerly Mike Bennett) needs more credibility for an audience who didn’t watch him outside of WWE, and this is the perfect time. Winner: Mike Kanellis
Rusev vs. John Cena – Flag Match
On the Independence Day Edition of SmackDown Live (July 4), John Cena returned with his patriotism turned up to 11. Rusev also returned at the same time and became the third anti-American foreign heel on SmackDown Live. For some reason, WWE thought it would be a good idea to put Cena in this program instead of anything else, like a match against the recently-turned-singles-star Chad Gable.
Prediction:
Battleground is in Philadelphia, one of the most historic cities in American history. There is no way the US can lose. Winner: John Cena
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin
Since before the Money in the Bank match, Shinsuke Nakamura and Baron Corbin have seemed to rub each other the wrong way. Corbin, the eventual winner of the Money in the Bank briefcase, attacked Nakamura at the beginning of the match so he barely had a chance to win. Over the past few weeks, both men have brawled and Corbin, alongside Kevin Owens, defeated AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura in this week’s main event.
Prediction:
Thanks to Baron Corbin’s briefcase, his momentum is not much of a concern. Whenever he wants, he can just cash it in to almost guarantee himself a WWE Championship run. Shinsuke Nakamura has been portrayed as a pretty big main event level talent, so he should take the win here. Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Natalya vs. Tamina vs. Lana – #1 Contender’s Elimination Match (SmackDown Women’s Championship)
After Naomi retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Lana three weeks in a row, Shane McMahon devised this match to determine who will face the champion at SummerSlam. The champion could be Naomi, but Carmella can use her briefcase whenever she wants just like Corbin.
Prediction:
While Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Natalya have the advantage of in-ring ability, Tamina and Lana have formed some kind of an alliance over the past couple weeks. Their partnership could lead them to success, but it is time to bring some “straight fire” back to the Women’s Title picture. Winner: Becky Lynch
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
When The New Day joined SmackDown Live in June, they were immediately named the #1 Contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship based on their accolades and star power. They challenged The Usos for the titles at Money in the Bank and they ended up winning the match, but only because The Usos had themselves counted out to retain the gold. This gave The New Day a chance for a rematch at Battleground, and they have been building for the match with a Rap Battle and various singles matches.
Prediction:
While The New Day is a great team, they have a championship record already and can still have their credibility without titles around their waists. The Usos should retain to build depth in a division that pales in comparison to Monday Night Raw. Winners, and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: The Usos
AJ Styles (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship
A couple months ago at Extreme Rules, Kevin Owens successfully defended the United States Championship against AJ Styles by count-out because Styles got his foot stuck in the announce table. Since then, both men competed in Money in the Bank and a new #1 Contender needed to be determined. Owens successfully defending the belt against Chad Gable and Styles won an Independence Day Battle Royal to become the new #1 Contender. In a shock to everyone, he ended up winning the championship on a house show at Madison Square Garden.
Prediction:
It seems pretty clear that the plan for SummerSlam is AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the United States Championship. It’ll be interesting to see what they do with Kevin Owens in that case, who has been on every Pay-Per-View since his debut. Winner, and STILL United States Champion: AJ Styles
Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship (Punjabi Prison Match)
A Punjabi Prison match hasn’t been seen in about a decade, and that’s probably for the better. There are two bamboo/steel cages surrounding the ring and the only way to win is to escape both. While it’s an interesting concept, it leads to poor visibility in the crowd and at home. This is the third clash between Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, and Mahal made it personal by having the Singh Brothers attempt to attack Orton’s father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
Prediction:
This feud needs to be over, and there is only one way that can happen. Winner, and STILL WWE Champion: Jinder Mahal
